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Management of Biosphysical Environment 2017

About this class

This course will examine the concepts and methods used by the state to manage the natural environment. Through an investigation into contemporary environmental issues in Canada (with occasional reference to other areas of the world) we will develop an understanding of the particular rationales for and evolution of state management. Important trends and issues are treated with particular attention to Indigenous rights. As part of the course, we use our developing understanding of course material to write critical blog posts on contemporary environmental issues.

Thanks, for the feedback, these are some good questions. I am glad you brought up the different seal species because I think that is one aspect that adds to the complexity of managing seal hunting. I am not sure what the ideal co-management system would look like because there is still a lot I don't know, but I think it would make sense to create co-management programs for different areas because of the different species of seals and unique conditions in each area, as you mentioned. As far as I know from looking up different species of seals, there are only two species considered at risk, so it could be beneficial to have a program looking at these two species. Overall, I think priorities with these co-management systems should be to increase communication between Canadian seal hunters, including Inuit hunters, and the government, to come up with the best possible management practices.

I really found your blog post intriguing, as well as the article it is based on! I didn't know much about the seal hunting industry, and just reading your blog post gave me a lot of information. I also really liked how you simplified some of the statistics into easily understood and still meaningful explanations.
I agree with you that the article only slightly touches on the subject of Inuit people. You mentioned beginning a co-management approach including Inuit hunters, commercial hunters, and the Canadian government which I agree would be interesting. My only criticism/question is that there are different seal species in the areas you mentioned and different seal species for Inuit hunting and commercial practices. Do you think that they could all be addressed under one management act, or do you think it would be worth the extra work to create programs for different areas or species? Do you think it is more important to create a co-management program for the seals that are in excess to contorl their populations, or species with populations at risk more prevelant?

Hi!
You picked an interesting topic to write about, and I really liked your explanation about what types of conflict are present and why you think regulations are the best option in the situation.
Did your belief that the residents know the cost progress would have come from your extra reading on the topic or the article? It wasn't entirely clear which it was, in context.

Canada was actually built on a staples economy. The British used Canada for their resources and only colonized to extract resources more easily. Resource extraction can be quite damaging to the environment and to those who depend on nature as a part of their livelihoods. Although oil can create many jobs for people it is more often then not that these people are not locals, who need the jobs.

It is important to conserve land due to the ecosystems that need the area to survive. Parks are especially important for species who are at risk or cannot adapt to human intervention. First Nations often lived off the now conserved land and were displaced in order to build the National Parks. So if the government decides to get rid of the parks the land should go back to the rightful owners. The government should keep the parks and conserve the land by providing more funding to Parks Canada.

Hey Leo,
I really enjoyed your radio transcript on ocean acidification, it had all the important information and each topic flowed nicely into the next. I enjoyed that you used humour to try and engage the audience on the seriousness of the issue. Perhaps something you could have talked about is how many people around the world rely on the oceans for not just their food, but also their income. The collapse of fisheries can have huge consequences on the economy of a region. Perhaps tying it into the economy would be something that could make listeners think twice the next time they do a fossil fuel intensive activity, or vote, as the economy is something everyone wants to improve. I also thought that by just saying that the oceans will heal themselves with time and that we just need to take a step back, might make listeners put it at the back of their mind and may never think of it again as there is not much they can do. Perhaps there would be a better call to action? I'm not exactly sure what that would be either, because ocean acidification is a huge problem and there is no quick fix, just time like you and Harriet already mentioned. Its unfortunate that we as humans have a tendency to not want to deal with issues that are not an immediate threat or one in the not too distant future.
Great job, it was informative!